The M22 light tank was intended for airborne use, and the C-54 Skymaster cargo aircraft was the original carrier plane. When transported by the C-54, the turret of the M22 was removed, and the hull was suspended below the plane via lifting brackets at the four corners of the hull. The turret of the Locust was designed to be easily removable for this reason, and British tests found that the tank could be reassembled in ten minutes or less using the aircraft's integral hoists. Combined with the fact that the laden C-54 would require a large runway, though, the reassembly process meant that achieving any measure of surprise was seriously hindered for the tanks. The British Hamilcar glider and later American aircraft like the C-82 could carry the M22 ready for battle. The tank was never used operationally by US troops, but eight M22s were part of the British airborne force that assaulted enemy positions along the Rhine during Operation Varsity in March 1945.

The suspension of the M22 included strengthening braces running between the two bogie brackets and between the rear bogie and idler assembly. The commander and gunner had their own hatches, and the driver was protected by a protruding hood on the hull left front that was hinged at the top. The first 27 M22s featured a protected direct vision slot for the driver, which was replaced with a vision port which was closed with a steel plug. The steel plug closure system was similar to the driver's direct vision setup in the light tank M5. The sides of the driver's hood were also sloped on later tanks. The exhaust pipe for the M22 exited the engine compartment in the rear, and then curved up to the right rear fender of the tank, where the muffler rested.